KCP exceeds packaging waste reduction targets
Kimberly-Clark Professional’s environmental policies are developed to ensure that in every area of the business we strive to meet or exceed our objectives.
In 2007 KCA implemented a number of packaging weight reduction initiatives.
These included:
16% weight reduction for 180 facial cartons corrugated shippers,
15% weight reduction for KCP towel corrugated shippers,
20% weight reduction for bulk nappy bags and
13% reduction in Thick and Thirsty towel film.
These reduction projects involved extensive equipment and transport trials to ensure that productivity and packaging functionality were maintained.
In 2007 KCA continued with its on site packaging waste recycling programs. Across the 3 manufacturing sites in Australia, 74% of on site packaging waste was diverted from landfill. Work is continuing at the Ingleburn mill to explore recycling opportunities for adhesive steel and fibre-board drums and cores which would lift this ratio. The overall plastic and board recycling rates for KC’s mills are 81% and 98% respectively.
ON SITE PACKAGING WASTE RECYCLING
In 2007 Kimberly-Clark Australia continued with its core environmental objective to maximise recycling of all wastes and to stop sending wastes to landfill. 74% of on site packaging waste is now being diverted from landfill. This is a lower rate than last year, however additional tonnage of on site packaging waste has been added to the data.
KCA’s high focus on quality means that our manufacturing sites end up with waste such as offcuts from rejected products, dust collection and used packaging. We have worked hard to find innovative ways to recycle these materials. Our core practices now ensure that:
- We recycle plastic shrink wrapping from raw materials, cores from rolls, and drums that supplied liquids, at all sites.
- We collect broken wooden pallets to use in commercial compost.
- We put waste sludge, twigs and tree knots from pulping and tissue making in compost
- We separate material for recycling to avoid contamination of waste streams,
e.g. separate bins for clean paper, cardboard and paper, general rubbish, wood, plastic and polythene. - We sort and put trimming wastes and rejects from tissue production back into the manufacturing process.
 |  |  |
Low grade plastic is separated from manufacturing waste at Ingleburn mill. Repeat Plastics Pty Ltd1 then uses innovative technology to turn this plastic, combined with industrial packaging waste, to make products such as park benches and posts.
Recycling of wastes at mills
Millicent and Tantanoola mills produce quantities of wet sludge removed from waste water. This is a desirable feedstock for a major compost maker. Other wastes recycled include plastics, paper and metals. Of all wastes generated, 98.6% is recycled.
Albury mill recycles virtually all its plastic wastes. Its recycling rate is 98.9%.
Ingleburn mill recycles various grades of waste plastics, paper and process dust (which is a valuable component in composting). Its recycling rate was 70% in FY2007. The mill recently arranged for recycling of a low-grade mixed plastic waste stream to an innovative recycler. The waste has been landfilled, so in the current financial year the recycling rate will increase markedly above 70%.
The following graph shows KCA’s onsite waste recycling vs landfill metrics for each manufacturing site.
